Michele De Luca graduated in Medicine and Surgery in 1980 (summa cum laude) at the University of Catania. He began his stem cell research career working in Boston
in the 80s, after training as an endocrinologist. Alongside Professor Howard Green he worked with epithelial stem cells for the treatment of patients with burns to the skin, before moving back to
Italy. Now he is director of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine "Stefano Ferrari" at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

He's author of over 120 peer-reviewed publications in major international journals and invited speaker in over 160 major international meetings in the field of stem cells and regenerative
medicine.